Irish Universities Rugby

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Irish Universities Rugby

Irish Universities Rugby Union

The Irish Universities Rugby Union (IURU) is the representative body for University Rugby Union in Ireland. The IURU and its member clubs are committed to developing the full academic, personal and sporting potential of all our players and members in a respectful, safe and enjoyable environment.

Working closely together with the IRFU, the IURU is dedicated to the growth of 3rd level rugby through maximising opportunity, participation, and accessibility to the game of rugby for all players, male and female, regardless of standard.

Domestic Competitions

The IURU organises four domestic 15 - a - side tournaments on an annual basis. The competitions were previously run in a "Festival of Rugby" format which was held on one day and in one location each year. Due to the success and scale of the competitions in previous years (over 25 teams and up to 550 players), in the 2018/19 season the competitions return to four standalone competitions, on different dates and at different venues, as follows:

The Dudley Cup (Senior Men) will adopt a challenge format, with firstly UCD RFC defending the Cup against UCC RFC in Belfield on 3 November 2018, with the winners travelling to play QUB RFC in Belfast on 16 November 2018 and a final challenge against DUFC will be arranged based on the winners of that match;

The Conroy Cup (U20 Men) will be played for in blitz format at UCC RFC on Saturday 20 October 2018;

The Kay Bowen Cup (Senior Women) will played for in a blitz format at MU Barnhall RFC on Wednesday 13 February 2019; and

The Maughan Scally Cup (Junior Men) will be played for in blitz format at University of Ulster, Coleraine on Saturday 23 March 2019.

In addition to the above, the IURU will also support the two Student Sevens competitions at UCD RFC, Belfield on 27 March 2019 and Coolmine RFC on 3 April 2019.

Collectively, these competitions demonstrate the breadth, depth and vibrancy of rugby activity across the Universities of Ireland.

Ireland Students

The IURU also organises Student representative fixtures against other representative sides inside and outside Ireland. In the past, the Combined Universities have played against full International touring sides, including the famous victory over the Springboks at Thomond Park in 1965. In recent years, the Irish Universities have organised fixtures against other European Student representative sides.

On Friday 8 February 2019, the Ireland Students will welcome the Scottish Students to Queens University in Belfast as part of the celebration of the QUB RFC 150-year anniversary season, continuing the annual Student International fixture.